Between 1997-2003 anthropologist Ivan Milicevic Neto conducted research in Brasilia and Goiana, studying Afro-Brazilian ceremonies candomble and umbanda. His observations of ritual behaviour and trances resulted in a series of photographs – valuable documentary material conveying this particular form of religious practice, in which he himself participated. The candomble and umbanda rituals and beliefs are dedicated to the orisha’s, higher deities of the Nago-Yoruba and Bantu peoples of Angola and Congo, who reached Brazil in the first transatlantic ships, creating as a result a specific religious syncretism.

The exhibition, catalogue and program are realized with the support of the EMBASSY OF BRASIL IN BELGRADE

Exhibition opening: Friday, November 20th, 7 p.m.
The exhibition was opened by H.E. Mr. Dante COELHO DE LIMA, Ambassador to Brazil in Serbia.
The opening was followed by a concert of TRIO CHOCOLATE, Brasilian and Cuban muscians

The rich cultural heritage of the peoples of South Africa, conveyed through arts and crafts, is composed of two parts: a selection of South African drums and costumes with elaborate beaded accoutrement. The Zulu, Xosa and Ndbele peoples are renowned for their beadwork, as well as the masterful technique of beaded embroidery which is incorporated unto other materials such as textiles, wool and leather. Besides traditionally used materials, the African market is abundant in printed industrial textiles that convey various patterns of different origin.

The „AinB“ exhibition is a collaboratiove project of photographer Nebojša Babić and curator Ana Sladojević. The people that participated in the project are Museum friends who are connected through thier roots, language or familial ties to Africa: Emma Ashiantide, Isaac Nana Amissah-Eshun, Alberto Dias, Arafan Djassi (in memoriam), Biradieye Fall, Ivon Jafali, Abdellatyf Kharmouch, Tarik Kharmouch, Hamadahamane Maiga, Mihajlo Idrisa Maiga, Tamara Kabangu Maiga, Alfaris Sajed, Hani Tajeb. Individual stories that accompany thier portraits, reconstruct their relationship with their surroundings. Video footage was created with film-director Aleksandar Maričić.

The Mwana hiti: More than Just a Doll catalogue and exhibition are the result of study based on the Belgian private collection of Guibert Hairson.

The “Regard sur les Kuba” offered a unique glimpse into the art of the Kuba people from Congo. Based on heterogeneous materials the exhibition was primarily focused on Kuba textiles: more than 40 exemplary pieces were exhibited and portrayed the regal paraphernalia of Kuba kings.

The multimedia project of Zoran Naskovski Black, Red and White is based on blues sound recordings and original interpretations by Black Americans, cotton pickers and convicts, following its transformation from boogie-woogie, rock and roll, down to rap music. Objects used for this project are a plexiglass box containing a branch of cotton, a red sofa, gramophone, vinyl records and compact discs, a photograph depicting a club ambiance featuring portraits of singers. These elements aim to represent the genesis of the blues which can be traced from the first sound recordings of Delta blues, to the modern high-tech sound industry.

The Ashanti people that inhabit the area of modern Ghana, belong to the wider ethnic group – Akan. With the strengthening of the political and economic power of the highly organized Ashanti Federation (from the 17th century onwards), art under its patronage flourished.